bobmac
Major Champion
I was looking around for activities available for kids in the area and came across a club that teaches Kick boxing.
First age group is 4-7
Thoughts?
Good or bad?
First age group is 4-7
Thoughts?
Good or bad?
Kick boxing classes
- Thread starter bobmac
- Start date
Fader
Tour Winner
Depends how they run it. Some I know of run them like after school clubs making it a fun way of exercising and confidence builder, if they incorporate game into how they learn technique it can be very good for kids but as long as its done right.
I teach regularly a taekwondo class to young kids and we always put the emphasis on fun ways to learn technique and incorporate games, as well teaching them its for defence, confidence and helps them with their health throughout life.
With any martial art form for children it normally isn't an issue with kids wanting to take it outside and use as violence or to even want to compete at young age as they see it as something fun. The strange thing is its usually the parents that want the kid to compete a long time before the child does, and sometimes we get asked when can they fight, spa or enter tournaments. That's when it's upto us as instructors to point out were not here to teach there children to become fighters or to encourage sparring until such time the child is confident, has the technical ability, and ultimately we feel they are ready to and have the self control not to use force over technique even if the child wants to.
We turn many children away purely because the parents want them to do it competitively, even more so since the Olympic successes but on the flip side so many more start and continue as they enjoy the exercise and learning new skills.
But even though I teach taekwondo I always say to parents before they start perhaps they should look at BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) first as its an art that has far less impact and has more focus on technical ability with holds so is less likely to see the child at a young age want to show off his high kicks in the playground. It's also one of the fastest growing art forms thanks to the Gracie's.
I teach regularly a taekwondo class to young kids and we always put the emphasis on fun ways to learn technique and incorporate games, as well teaching them its for defence, confidence and helps them with their health throughout life.
With any martial art form for children it normally isn't an issue with kids wanting to take it outside and use as violence or to even want to compete at young age as they see it as something fun. The strange thing is its usually the parents that want the kid to compete a long time before the child does, and sometimes we get asked when can they fight, spa or enter tournaments. That's when it's upto us as instructors to point out were not here to teach there children to become fighters or to encourage sparring until such time the child is confident, has the technical ability, and ultimately we feel they are ready to and have the self control not to use force over technique even if the child wants to.
We turn many children away purely because the parents want them to do it competitively, even more so since the Olympic successes but on the flip side so many more start and continue as they enjoy the exercise and learning new skills.
But even though I teach taekwondo I always say to parents before they start perhaps they should look at BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) first as its an art that has far less impact and has more focus on technical ability with holds so is less likely to see the child at a young age want to show off his high kicks in the playground. It's also one of the fastest growing art forms thanks to the Gracie's.
Last edited:
with any martial art its a discipline and for defense never offense and that's ingrained by all the good instructors.
As fader states its great for the kids health and confidence.........and they have FUN while doing it. I put my wee boy into Judo at 5 as it's probably a more fluid art as opposed to a more static Karate for example, nothing wrong with Karate though and friends wee boys do that instead.
Some of the nicest guys I know who will try and talk down any situation are guys that could literally take on 6 yobs and win.
As fader states its great for the kids health and confidence.........and they have FUN while doing it. I put my wee boy into Judo at 5 as it's probably a more fluid art as opposed to a more static Karate for example, nothing wrong with Karate though and friends wee boys do that instead.
Some of the nicest guys I know who will try and talk down any situation are guys that could literally take on 6 yobs and win.
WideEyedFox
Assistant Pro
Fader has pretty much hit the nail on the head - if it's run right and your kids are in to it, then they'll enjoy it.
Decide why they're going. Is it for a sport, martial art, or self protection. "Martial Arts" don't always work well as self protection as you spend a lot of time training to defend yourself from people using the same art as you. In the street/school/playground situations change, obstacles and even weapons are around you and you can easily be outnumbered. In some situations the "art" can give you (or your kids) a false sense of confidence.
I did Muay Thai for 18 years and went on to assist the adults and kids training classes at 2 different camps. I teach my youngest son at home now after stopping training due to a knee injury and the fact he was not happy with the way the kids classes were run.
Take yours along with a view to watching to see how it is run. If your kids are interested and want to have a go, let them make the decision.
Decide why they're going. Is it for a sport, martial art, or self protection. "Martial Arts" don't always work well as self protection as you spend a lot of time training to defend yourself from people using the same art as you. In the street/school/playground situations change, obstacles and even weapons are around you and you can easily be outnumbered. In some situations the "art" can give you (or your kids) a false sense of confidence.
I did Muay Thai for 18 years and went on to assist the adults and kids training classes at 2 different camps. I teach my youngest son at home now after stopping training due to a knee injury and the fact he was not happy with the way the kids classes were run.
Take yours along with a view to watching to see how it is run. If your kids are interested and want to have a go, let them make the decision.
bobmac
Major Champion
While I understand all your replies, I still have an uneasy feeling about parents wanting their son/daughter to learn how to kick and box at 4 years old?
Region3
Ryder Cup Winner
Is it any different to the people that believe (including me) national service instilled discipline and order.
I've never heard anyone worry that we were turning young people into killing machines.
Granted the ages are very different, but I think the principal is the same. I think any child showing aggressive and/or violent tendencies in any martial arts class would learn an important lesson very quickly indeed.
WideEyedFox
Assistant Pro
Martial Arts are a lot more than just striking your opponent. With the right teacher a student will learn patience, control and respect. They will have not only the skills to defend themselves but also a good element of fitness and confidence.
The social aspect of training with different people at different levels of competence also helps a student to have aspirations as well as to assist those who are newer to the art.
All of this can be done without actually striking a person or pad.
Some arts are more aggressive in spectator’s eyes than others. I did Shotokan Karate for a couple of years, Judo for a year, Kickboxing for a year, before switching to Muay Thai. I would say Karate with the right teacher is probably better suited to kids of an early age to build their understanding, flexibility and a disciplined nature.
Since the Olympics there has been a big drive in Karate, Taekwondo and conventional boxing classes.
bobmac
Major Champion
I've no problem with the kids learning any of these disciplines but as I said earlier....4 years old?
They haven't even started primary school yet
They haven't even started primary school yet
need_my_wedge
Has Now Found His Wedgie
Hello Bob,
I train and teach Aikido myself, and have been teaching the kids class for about 10 years now. Most of the arts that I know, it's not about teaching the kids to box and fight. If taught properly, the classes will focus on using the principles of the art to help develop the youngster with regards to flexibilty and fitness, whilst improving things like patience, self confidence and discipline.
There may be a few odd clubs out there that focus otherwise, but essentially it's quite difficult to make 4 - 7 year old "ninja assassins"
. It is really about starting to develop their muscle memory, learning correct movement and such and ensuring that they enjoy what they are doing- not too dissimilar to sticking a golf club in a 4 year olds hands so that he can start practising his golf swing.
The common thing that I hear from parents that come to me after their kids have given up Taekwondo or kickboxing and such, is the cost involved. I'm sure it doesn't apply to all clubs, but there are a number of places out there that run it as quite a big business - joining fees, annual fees, grading fees every couple of months, new belt fees with new grade, even new uniform fees with certain grades in some places. I have a work colleague that does kick boxing with his son, they grade every 3 months and he pays £27 each per grade....
The best advice I can offer, is go and visit the club(s) that they are thinking of joining. Watch a class, see how the teacher behaves with the kids, see how the kids behave on the mat. It will soon be evident whether it's a happy class - I always insist that parents stay and watch a class before they commit the junior, I also ensure that it's the kid's choice to start. I also don't accept students until they reach 9 years old. That's not because I don't want to - I used to start them at 7, but their attention span is short. I only run one junior class a week and the age range is 9 - 16 and doesn't allow me to dedicate as much individual time required for the the ones younger.
I train and teach Aikido myself, and have been teaching the kids class for about 10 years now. Most of the arts that I know, it's not about teaching the kids to box and fight. If taught properly, the classes will focus on using the principles of the art to help develop the youngster with regards to flexibilty and fitness, whilst improving things like patience, self confidence and discipline.
There may be a few odd clubs out there that focus otherwise, but essentially it's quite difficult to make 4 - 7 year old "ninja assassins"
. It is really about starting to develop their muscle memory, learning correct movement and such and ensuring that they enjoy what they are doing- not too dissimilar to sticking a golf club in a 4 year olds hands so that he can start practising his golf swing.The common thing that I hear from parents that come to me after their kids have given up Taekwondo or kickboxing and such, is the cost involved. I'm sure it doesn't apply to all clubs, but there are a number of places out there that run it as quite a big business - joining fees, annual fees, grading fees every couple of months, new belt fees with new grade, even new uniform fees with certain grades in some places. I have a work colleague that does kick boxing with his son, they grade every 3 months and he pays £27 each per grade....
The best advice I can offer, is go and visit the club(s) that they are thinking of joining. Watch a class, see how the teacher behaves with the kids, see how the kids behave on the mat. It will soon be evident whether it's a happy class - I always insist that parents stay and watch a class before they commit the junior, I also ensure that it's the kid's choice to start. I also don't accept students until they reach 9 years old. That's not because I don't want to - I used to start them at 7, but their attention span is short. I only run one junior class a week and the age range is 9 - 16 and doesn't allow me to dedicate as much individual time required for the the ones younger.
Matty
Tour Rookie
Martial arts, when taught and understood correctly are not massively different from learning the etiquette of golf.
First and foremost it is about respecting others, showing restraint and control and behaving appropriately towards others.
Martial Arts can be good at this, while someone may learn how to hurt another person they are also learning that there is always some a little bigger, stronger or better than can hurt them just as easily. So, you learn control, respect and restraint just as much as you learn about kicking and punching.
First and foremost it is about respecting others, showing restraint and control and behaving appropriately towards others.
Martial Arts can be good at this, while someone may learn how to hurt another person they are also learning that there is always some a little bigger, stronger or better than can hurt them just as easily. So, you learn control, respect and restraint just as much as you learn about kicking and punching.
